In 2024, Vizcab conducted the third edition of its Low Carbon Barometer, a Europe-wide initiative aimed at capturing the state of play in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) adoption and carbon maturity across the construction sector. With insights from over 270 professionals across 11 countries — including engineers, developers, architects, and general contractors — this Barometer serves as a compass for the industry's decarbonization efforts.

Life Cycle Assessment is increasingly recognized as a cornerstone methodology to measure and manage the environmental impact of buildings. However, its adoption remains uneven across Europe, influenced by regulatory maturity, professional training, and local market dynamics.

This Country Focus article explores how Germany is navigating the LCA transition, highlighting how professionals are adopting LCA practices, what specific drivers and barriers they face, and how their progress compares to the broader European context. Through this lens, we aim to provide actionable insights for professionals working in and with Germany helping them better align with current trends, anticipate regulatory shifts, and embrace low-carbon construction as a new standard.

Market overview: national profile

• Position : Architect (22 - 36%), Other (22 - 34%), Management (8 - 13%), Engineering (8 - 12%), Sales staff (3 - 5%),
• Company size : N/A (31 - 51%), +100 (9 - 15%), 10 - 20 (6 - 10%), 20 - 50 (5 - 8%), 5 - 10 (4 - 7%), 50 - 100 (4 - 7%), 2 - 5 (1 - 1,5%), Self-employed (1 - 1,5%)
• Company Revenue ( : +5M (5 - 8%), 0 à 500k (4 - 6%), 1M à 5M (9 - 14%), 500k à 1M (10 - 16%), Confidential information (34 - 55%)
  

  Does the company conduct LCA?

Does your company conduct LCA vs other countries ?

Local drivers & barriers

National regulations: thresholds, incentives, mandates

National Regulations:
No mandatory national regulation for LCA in buildings, but specific standards exist for public buildings under the BNB (Bewertungssystem Nachhaltiges Bauen). BNB is a sustainability assessment system for public buildings, covering the entire lifecycle (design, construction, operation, and demolition). It is based on international standards (EN ISO 14040, EN ISO 14044, DIN EN 15978) and uses the ÖKOBAUDAT database for construction materials to calculate environmental impacts (energy, GHG, water, etc.). BNB is mandatory for new federal buildings and major renovations.

Thresholds:
No national limit values for carbon emissions of buildings over their lifecycle. However, regions can adopt stricter local requirements (example : Baden-Württemberg)

Financial Incentives:
A special €500 billion climate fund, with €100 billion allocated to low-carbon construction and sustainable infrastructure.
Loans and grants from the public bank KfW for energy-efficient renovations, with incentive levels based on energy efficiency standards (KfW 55, 70, etc.).

Mandates:
No national mandate for LCA in private buildings, but discussions are ongoing to integrate LCA into future regulations, aligned with European directives (notably the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - EPBD). These discussions focus on setting performance limits for buildings' environmental impact, especially in terms of greenhouse gas emissions over their lifecycle.

Influence of EU frameworks (EPBD, CSRD, EU Taxonomy) : Stricter energy performance requirements for buildings due to the EPBD, with potential future integration of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). These requirements apply uniformly to all EU member states, including Germany.

Enhanced sustainability reporting obligations for large companies in the construction sector, driven by the CSRD. These transparency obligations apply across all European countries, with no specific differences for Germany.However, it is important to note that the implementation of the CSRD has been delayed due to the Omnibus Directive, which postpones the application of certain regulatory requirements. This delay affects the timeline for compliance but does not change the scope of the obligations once they come into force.

Access to sustainable finance (green loans, green bonds) for projects that align with EU Taxonomy criteria, promoting LCA and low-carbon construction. These taxonomy criteria are consistently applied across the European Union.

Overall, the influence of EU frameworks is pushing Germany, like all other EU member states, towards a more sustainable construction sector, with greater transparency, accountability, and a strong focus on lifecycle environmental impacts.

Certification schemes used (e.g. DGNB, BDB, LEED):

• BNB (Bewertungssystem Nachhaltiges Bauen): A certification system specifically for federal public buildings in Germany that evaluates sustainability across the entire building lifecycle. BNB integrates Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies following international standards, making it a key driver for LCA adoption in German public construction projects.
• BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): An international certification system developed by a UK-based organization, assessing building environmental performance with a focus on energy efficiency, water management, and occupant well-being.
• DGNB (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen): Germany’s leading sustainability certification, which assesses building performance holistically across environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The DGNB system strongly incorporates LCA principles, using detailed lifecycle data to support low-carbon building strategies, positioning it as a cornerstone of LCA practice in Germany.
• HQE (High Environmental Quality): A French certification aimed at improving the environmental performance of buildings by addressing energy management, water use, waste reduction, and occupant comfort.
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): US certification emphasizing energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and indoor air quality.
• NaWoh (Nachhaltiger Wohnungsbau): German label dedicated to sustainable residential buildings, with energy performance criteria.
• Passivhaus: German standard for low-energy buildings, focusing on thermal efficiency and ventilation.
• QNG (Qualitätssiegel Nachhaltiges Gebäude): A German quality label for sustainable buildings focusing on durability, construction quality, and energy performance. QNG also promotes the integration of LCA to quantify and reduce the environmental impacts throughout a building’s lifecycle, making it an important certification for LCA practitioners in Germany.
• WELL Building Standard: Certification focused on occupant health and well-being, covering air quality, lighting, and comfort.
  
  Key motivations for conducting LCAs : The majority of respondents did not provide a reason for conducting Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). Among those who did, the most common motivations were environmental commitment, compliance with national regulations, and aligning with EU frameworks like the EU Taxonomy. Certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, and HQE also played a role in driving the use of LCA.
  
  

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LCA practices in projects in the country

Are you conducting LCA on renovation project ?

What are main challenges at the moment?

Some respondents did not provide an answer (50%). Among those who did:

• 29.55% mentioned ensuring the reliability of carbon strategies as a main challenge.
• 27.27% identified training in LCA methodology as a key challenge.
• 22.73% highlighted convincing stakeholders of their material choices.
• 13.64% cited the need for more reliable LCA calculations.
• 6.82% mentioned the need to produce LCA studies in the shortest possible time.

How much time for a LCA this year ?

On average, respondents spent approximately 5.1 days this year to complete a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Readiness for future regulatory thresholds

Are you familiar with the EPBD ?

Conduct LCA for the CSRD or Green taxonomie ? :

Among respondents who provided an answer:

• 46.67% conduct carbon assessments driven by the CSRD or the Green Taxonomy.
• 53.33% do not conduct carbon assessments driven by these frameworks.

Insights for professionals working in Germany

Key takeaways on LCA adoption and opportunities :

• Adoption of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) in Germany: Current Status and Perspectives : The adoption of Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) in the German construction sector is gradually progressing, driven by European regulatory frameworks, national initiatives, and a growing awareness of the environmental impact of buildings.
  
  
• A Varying Level of Maturity Among Stakeholders: Analysis of the responses reveals that knowledge of LCA remains uneven. Some stakeholders in the German construction sector are familiar with LCA methodology, but many express the need for further training. Nearly 43% of respondents stated that they still need to deepen their understanding of EPBD. Meanwhile, 20% indicated that they have simply heard about European directives like the EPBD 2028, while 13% consider themselves sufficiently informed.
  
  
• Areas where action is most urgent (training, tools, methodology): 
  

  Although Germany has resources such as the ÖKOBAUDAT database and the DGNB certification system, challenges remain in integrating practical and accessible LCA tools into day-to-day workflows. Ensuring the availability of tools aligned with European regulatory frameworks—such as the EU Taxonomy—is also a priority.

  Professionals are seeking to improve the reliability of their carbon strategies. About 29% of respondents indicated that ensuring the credibility of their project’s carbon strategies is a key challenge. Standardizing calculation methods and aligning with European requirements (such as EPBD 2028 and CSRD) are essential for improving the consistency and impact of LCAs.

  To support widespread adoption of LCA in Germany, it is crucial to build professional capacity through targeted training, high-performance tools like Vizcab Platform, and consistent methodologies, all while ensuring alignment with European policy frameworks.

  
  

  Conclusion

  The insights gathered through the Low Carbon Barometer 2024 are clear: the adoption of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) across Europe is no longer a niche practice but a fundamental shift in how the industry measures impact and builds for the future. In Germany, this transition is unfolding at its own pace, shaped by local regulations, market maturity, and professional engagement.

  To meet the carbon thresholds of 2025 and beyond, and to align with the broader goals of the European Green Deal, all actors must accelerate their efforts. This means not only improving technical tools but also increasing awareness, harmonizing data, and investing in training.

  
  

  Key figures supporting these insights include:
  

• Out of 64 respondents in Germany, only 21% report conducting LCAs within their companies, while 51% did not answer, and 27% do not conduct LCAs.
• Among the main challenges, 29.55% highlight ensuring the reliability of carbon strategies, and 27.27% emphasize the need for deeper LCA methodology training.
• Regarding familiarity with the EPBD 2028 directive, only 13.33% fully understand it, while 43.33% acknowledge needing to learn more.
• Finally, 46.67% of respondents conduct carbon assessments driven by the CSRD or Green Taxonomy, whereas 53.33% do not.
  
  As a leader in LCA innovation, Vizcab encourages construction stakeholders in Germany to continue this transformation, supported by knowledge sharing, transparency, and a collective vision.
  
  

  Discover how Vizcab Platform can streamline your workflow, enhance efficiency, and help you achieve your carbon goals faster.

  Schedule your free personalized demo with Jakob Weigele, our Head of Region Dach&DK !